Last year, my family decided last-minute to go to Astros Spring Training in WPB for our first time and we had an absolute blast. So much so that we are planning to go again over spring break.

We will start in West Palm Beach to see the Astros for a few days but want to head over FL's West Coast to check out 1 or 2 more teams. The teams on that side are Blue Jays, Phillies, Tigers, Yankees, Pirates, Orioles, Braves, Rays, Red Sox and Twins.

Is anyone familiar with how Spring Training works with any of the teams on the FL West coast? Are there any we should rule out due to access to players (or lack thereof) and overall fan experience?

Behind the Astros, the team we follow the most is Toronto. They are playing at NYY on one of the days we plan to be over there, so we thought about going to the NYY ballpark in Tampa, but I'm assuming it'll be a zoo and the overall experience could be lacking, especially because we can't stand the NYY and their fans.

I realize your primary interest is the Astros but the travel required between Florida and Arizona for people just looking to watch baseball is very different. All 15 teams that train in Arizona are all essentially in one town.

TexAg2001 said:

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Last year, my family decided last-minute to go to Astros Spring Training in WPB for our first time and we had an absolute blast. So much so that we are planning to go again over spring break.

We will start in West Palm Beach to see the Astros for a few days but want to head over FL's West Coast to check out 1 or 2 more teams. The teams on that side are Blue Jays, Phillies, Tigers, Yankees, Pirates, Orioles, Braves, Rays, Red Sox and Twins.

Is anyone familiar with how Spring Training works with any of the teams on the FL West coast? Are there any we should rule out due to access to players (or lack thereof) and overall fan experience?

Behind the Astros, the team we follow the most is Toronto. They are playing at NYY on one of the days we plan to be over there, so we thought about going to the NYY ballpark in Tampa, but I'm assuming it'll be a zoo and the overall experience could be lacking, especially because we can't stand the NYY and their fans.

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Mrs. Marvin and I have spent most of our time in WPB. We have followed the Astros to Lakeland, PSL, and a couple of others. I can't speak to player access outside of the immediate stadium areas before games, but I bet you could get info on other team fan sites.

Spring training is the best!

Yes, I wish the Grapefruit League teams were as close together as the Cactus League, but the Astros are our main draw. Plus, FL beaches are a nicer spring break destination.

We had a great time last year! We were surprised by how inexpensive it is and the player access they allow. We got several dozen autographs and pictures with players and coaches. My daughter and I had about a 5-minute conversation with Dubon and Meyers before a crowd started to swarm around us to get autographs. The only players we wanted to meet, but weren't able to, were Pena, Brown, and Diaz.

We even saw several players around town with their families, but didn't want to bother them, of course.

The destination part is a matter of opinion but I'm not a beach person.

TexAg2001 said:

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We had a great time last year! We were surprised by how inexpensive it is and the player access they allow. We got several dozen autographs and pictures with players and coaches. My daughter and I had about a 5-minute conversation with Dubon and Meyers before a crowd started to swarm around us to get autographs. The only players we wanted to meet, but weren't able to, were Pena, Brown, and Diaz.

We even saw several players around town with their families, but didn't want to bother them, of course.

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Yes, the order for autographs and pics is kids, young women, then any woman, and finally maybe one random dude. Mrs. Marvin has dozens of pics with players, while I have none.

My plan is always to arrive early at WPB and let Mrs. Marvin and our nephew handle the autograph and picture chasing, while I find a shady spot and watch the backfield drills. Once the stadium opens, I hit the outfield berm and enjoy batting practice and some sunshine. I won't chase for a ball, but I occasionally catch one from my blanket area. I caught three before one game without ever moving, lol. Just have to watch out for the 50-year-old beer bellies bulldozing the kids for a ball.

What do tickets and parking cost there?

For West Palm Beach: Parking was something like $10-$20. Access to practice sessions were free. We went to 2 games last year. One we sat on the outfield lawn, and it was $15 / ticket. Other game we sat in the 8th row behind home plate and they were around $45 / ticket.

Marvin said:

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Yes, the order for autographs and pics is kids, young women, then any woman, and finally maybe one random dude.

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Very true. My teenage daughter got the majority of the autographs and pics, followed by my wife. I got maybe 2.

Jose Altuve will only sign for children, which I understand and respect. He didn't stop and sign things every time he passed between fields or back into the facility, but in addition to balls, hats, etc, he also signed and gave his bat to a young kid every time he did stop to interact with fans. I watched him sign and give away 4 bats over 2 days. He signed my daughter's Altuve jersey on the last day we were there.

Very reasonable. I live near the Cubs ST HQ and it's mayhem for 6 weeks and a good bit more expensive.